Description
ENG 105 First rhetorical analysis
Draft of a Rhetorical Analysis of a
Public Document Assignment
Goal
Write a 750-1,000-word essaythatanalyzesthe rhetorical situation of apublic document. This public document is the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html.Your analysis should include at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.
Directions
Complete a close reading of the assigned public document. Then, write a cohesive essay that:
Introduces and summarizes the CDC website on ADHD.
Analyzesthe rhetorical tools used on the site(here, you will want to incorporate ideas from your preanalysisbelow). For instance, your essay could analyze the CDC’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Evaluates the site’s effectiveness (again, ideas from your preanalysisbelow will be helpful).
This essay isNOT simply an expository or descriptive essay or an analysis of ADHD. It is an analysis of the site and how effectively the site uses rhetorical tools to get its point across.
First Draft Grading
You will receive completion points for the first draft based upon the successful submission of your draft.
Because your first draft is a completion grade, do not assume that this grade reflects or predicts the final grade. If you do not consider your instructor’s comments, you may be deducted points on your final draft.
Final Draft Grading
The essay will be graded using a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations.
Sources
Include in-text citations and a References page in APA Style for at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.
These sources should be used to support any claims you make and should be present in the text of the essay.
Use the GCU Library to help you find sources.
Include this research in the paper in a scholarly manner.
Format
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
LopesWrite
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Please be sure to review your LopesWrite score before submitting the draft to your instructor.
Preparing to Write the Essay
Read the site closely:
Read the webpage on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
Do a first reading that uses underlining, annotation, and summary to make sure you understand what the writer is saying. Go back to any sections that need clarification.
On a second reading, pay attention to what the writer(s) of the CDC siteis doing by describing the writer’s strategy.
Conduct a preanalysis:
Use your close reading to analyze the rhetorical situation of the site.
Here are some questions to guide your analysis.
You do NOT need to answer all of them—pick three that make the most sense to you. Your close reading will help you generate ideas for your essay.
What is the context of the issue(s)?
What do you know about the topic?
What issues does the topic raise?
Is there a larger debate, discussion, or controversy already going on?
What seems to be at stake?
Who is the writer?
What do you know about the writer’s background, credibility, knowledge of the topic, beliefs, and social allegiances?
What is the publication?
What do you know about its intended readers, reputability, political slant, and the topics it covers?
How does the writer define the rhetorical situation and identify the call to write?
What is the writer’s orientation toward the issues involved?
What is at stake for the writer?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the writer addressing one group or more than one group of readers?
Is the writer trying to bring an audience into being?
What kind of relationship is the writer trying to establish with readers?
What assumptions about readers does the writer seem to make?
How does the writer use language?
How does the writer use ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to the audience?
What is the writer’s tone?
What does the writer’s word choice show about his or her assumptions about readers?
Does the writer use specialized terms or slang?
Are there memorable figures of speech?
Does the writer stereotype?
What is your evaluation of the rhetorical effectiveness?
Does the writer accomplish his or her purposes?
What constraints, if any, qualify the writing’s effectiveness?
Draft the essay:
Once you’ve completed the pre-analysis, draft the essay. The essay should include:
Header, essay title, heading in APA Style
An introduction paragraph with a thesis statement
At least three body paragraphs
A conclusion paragraph
Also, you will need to include a References page and in-text citations formatted in APA Style with at leastTWOscholarly sources outside of class texts.
Submit this assignment to your instructor in the assignment drop boxAND post this draft as an attachment in theModule 2 Rhetorical Analysis Peer Review forum
by Day 3 of Week 2.
ENG-105Checklist Tool for the Rhetorical Analysis
Essay Content
Introduction
Begins with an effective hook
Overview of topic/website
Provides an introduction of CDC webpage on ADHD
Does not contain an undue emphasis on ADHD or rhetoric in general
Includes a smooth transition to thesis statement
Thesis statement
Makes an evaluative claim regarding the CDC’s effectiveness in communication
Focuses on and presents the rhetorical appeals as subtopics: ethos, pathos, and logos
Body Paragraphs
Analysis of Appeals
Demonstrates a clear understanding of the rhetorical appeals, which may include a definition of each
Accurately identifies and provides relevant examples of each of the rhetorical appeals
Includes an evaluative statement regarding the effectiveness of each appeal
Use of Evidence as Support
Each body paragraph contains research-based, cited information from scholarly sources
Each body paragraph contains at least one example from the CDC for each rhetorical appeal
Sources reflect an investigation of rhetoric, not ADHD
Direct quotes and paraphrasing are correctly cited
Organization
Presents the appeals in the same order as they appear in the thesis statement
Constructs one body paragraph for each rhetorical appeal (3 appeals/3 body paragraphs)
Constructs strong topic sentences: includes a transitional word/phrase, make reference to the main claim in the thesis, and presents the specific appeal addressed in the paragraph
Conclusion
The first sentence restates the thesis statement, conveying the main idea in the thesis with fresh wording
The conclusion effectively summarizes the content of the essay
The conclusion effectively brings closure to each of the main points
No new information is presented in the conclusion
Essay ends with an impactful statement
Format
The essay meets word count (750-1,000)
The essay aligns with the APA 7th Edition Format
The title page is spaced and formatted according to APA 7th Edition standards
The essay does not include an abstract and/or subheading above each paragraph
A boldfaced title appears above the first paragraph
The in-text citations are correctly formatted
References page is correctly formatted and placed on a separate page
There is consistency and coordination between the in-text citations and the references page
Times New Roman font (size 12) is consistently used throughout the essay
Double spacing, 1” margins, 0.5” paragraph indentations, and left alignment are consistently used
Language/Style
The writer uses a variety of sentence structures
The writer establishes and maintains a formal, academic tone
The essay is written in third person (first and second person pronouns are not used)
The essay is void of slang, jargon, contractions, and wordiness
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
Tools such as Word Grammar Check, LopesWrite, and/or Grammarly.com have been employed to identify errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics
The essay is free of errors in
Sentence structure
Punctuation
Spelling
Capitalization
The use of acronyms
Agreement
Use of articles